Barrow`s youngest road racer, five-year-old Travis Shaw, son of Danny Shaw who raced in the Ducati TriOptions Cup series, which ran alongside the televised BSB championships, is certainly following in his father's wheeltracks.

He`s been racing his 40cc minimoto in the British Mini Bike Championship, scoring consistently in all five rounds despite several tumbles along the way.

He contested the final round in atrocious weather conditions on the Stretton track in Leicester recently.

The plucky youngster (picture by Emms Gee Images) took it all in his stride, coping with torrential rain and strong cross winds to cross the line in second place in both of his races.

The resulting points gave him second place overall in the championship, which is a great result in his first season of racing.

Dad is now completely overhauling his machine ahead of some winter testing in Spain next month in readiness for their assault on this year's British Mini Bike Championships.

His father Danny has taken a change of direction. Having raced in the Ducati TriOptions Cup series on a 1000cc Ducati with reasonable success for the last few years, he's opted to try his luck in the less hectic, less expensive, and hopefully less painful world of Classic Motorcycle racing.

He suffered a string of injuries contesting the TriOptions Cup series which would have made a lesser man quit the sport completely.

Former sponsor Harry Barker, of HBP properties, has provided a1972 four cylinder 500cc Honda to contest the Classic Motorcycle Racing Club`s Championship with.

It`s going to take some adapting to, with drum brakes, no anti dive forks, narrow tyres and minimum adjustment on suspension.

I caught up with him recently at the MBR Racing Centre here in Barrow where engine guru Mike Bibby was setting up the engine.

The brake horsepower figures look encouraging and I`m sure once Danny gets used to it, he'll be a force to be reckoned with in 500 Classic events.

'Team Shaw' are certainly going to be busy this year.

* The Barrow and District Motorcycle Club held their Frank Jackson Trial, which counts towards the Northern Centre Championship, near Torver last Sunday, consisting of just one lap of several sections marked out by club stalwart Jimmy Johnston.

Ulverston`s Angus Jenkinson took the honours again on the Clubmans route, giving him a tally of four wins from five local trials. Fellow Ulverstonian Paul Mashiter finished runner-up just four marks behind.

The closest finish took place on the Hard Course, where Grasmere's Richard Gaskell pipped Newcastle's John Crinson by just two marks.

Results

Hard Course: 1. Richard Gaskell (300 Beta, Grasmere, 17 marks lost), 2. John Crinson (Montesa, Newcastle, 19), 3. Stephen Dixon (300 Scorpa, Grasmere, 21).

Green Course: 1. Rob Shuttleworth (Scorpa, Kendal, 16). 2. Sam Ashton (Gas Gas, Cheshire, 20), 3. Tom Bennett (TRS280, Porthill, 25).

Clubmans Course: 1. Angus Jenkinson (250 vertigo, Ulverston, 22), 2. Paul Mashiter (300 Beta, Ulverston, 26), 3. Steven Davis (Gas Gas, Cheshire, 27).

* I mentioned on last week's page that Furness is going to have a strong representation in this season's Acerbis National Motocross Championships.

The first round of the seven-round series kickstarts on the Route 66 track at Haverigg on April 17 and 18 before moving south to Hawkstone Park in Shropshire the following month.

The current Bridgestone Masters champion Greg Fisher, from Dalton, is contesting the MX2 class while Ulverston's Aaron Murphy, Askam's Ben Southward, Barrow`s Callum Bircher, and Ben Walsh will vie for honours in the MX1 class.

The Vets over-40 events consist of Paul Coward from Kirkby, Askam`s Gavin Southward and former TT Star Dan Stewart .

Throw Adam Curwen and Barrows Dee Jay Walker in on 250cc two strokes and schoolboy Jamie Keith from Ireleth on his KTM, whose results are well documented, into the mix and it`s sure to be an interesting series for spectators to follow.

* Just after we'd gone to press last week, it was revealed Norton Motorcycles have finally gone into receivership after owing £300,000 in unpaid taxes.

After being given an extension to pay the overdue amount, the courts issued a winding up order as it had not been paid in the time given.

Many suppliers have not been paid, including TT star John McGuinness (picture by Angie Goody), who is owed several thousands of pounds in unpaid contract fees and bonuses etc.

Entrepreneur Stuart Garner rescued the company in 2008 and employed around 100 personnel, producing such iconic models as the Commando 961 café racer, the Dominator, and the Norton V4RR sports bike.

It's sad to see this famous British brand, founded way back in 1898, go to the wall.

Administrators have been appointed, let's hope they can come up with a solution and get Norton back on the road.